Build Skills with Printable Subtraction Strategy Maths Mats!

While using these subtraction strategy work mats, kids will practise using various subtraction strategies. Use this teaching resource with your students to practise skills such as

• Subtraction on a Number Line
• Number Bonds
• Fact Families
• Subtraction with Ten Frames

To support foundational learning, we recommend using maths manipulatives, such as connecting cubes, alongside the work mats. For little learners, subtraction is an abstract concept—concrete models help make it more accessible and meaningful.

Here’s how it works:

Students draw a fact card and begin by using connecting cubes to complete the first task in the work mat. Then, using a whiteboard marker, they record their thinking directly on the mat. They repeat this process for each activity on the mat, building strong conceptual understanding through hands-on exploration and visual representation.

Using manipulatives in tandem with the mats helps students make critical connections between physical models and symbolic strategies—an essential step in developing lasting subtraction skills.

Different Levels for Different Students

These subtraction maths mats are an excellent tool for differentiating instruction! We’ve created two versions of these mats.

• Set 1 includes two maths mats for subtracting numbers up to ten
• Set 2 includes two maths mats for subtracting numbers up to twenty. 

Download Your Subtraction Work Mats

This resource download includes printable maths mats, a set of subtraction fact cards, and number circles for building number bonds. Use the dropdown arrow on the Download button to select your preferred format—choose between colour or black-and-white, and pick either the editable Google Slides version or the easy-to-print PDF version.

Print and laminate each page for multiple use and easy cleaning.

This resource was created by Cassandra Friesen, a Teach Starter Collaborator.

More Subtraction Practise for Young Learners

The key to making subtraction stick with your students? Practise, practise, practise.

And don’t worry—you’re in luck! We’ve got more teacher favourites to help reinforce subtraction skills in fun and effective ways.

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